"Bestiaries" - small illustrated books on all the creatures thought to exist in the world - are perhaps the most entertaining literature to have come down to us from the Middle Ages. They included detailed descriptions of the characteristics and habits of animals, fish, birds, insects and mythological creatures, many of the 'facts' unproven, inaccurate and bizarre. Now the legendary illustrator, Pauline Baynes, has spun together a gloriously amusing text and delightful illustrations "with some liberty" from various bestiaries in England, adding a fascinating introduction to give the full, fabulous flavour of these mediaeval gems of misbelief.

 

There are 48 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2008 by Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd .

Pauline Baynes is one of the greatest living children's illustrators whose line illustrations for C. S. Lewis's The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe helped turn it into a well-loved classic which was shortlisted for Book of the Millennium in 2000.